Execution Report: Michael Rosales

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Rosales had a prior felony conviction for possession of a controlled substance. He was sentenced to four years' probation in August 1995. He was still on probation at the time of the murder, but had removed his electronic monitor, however, and was avoiding his probation officer. Rosales also had misdemeanor convictions for theft and burglary.

A jury convicted Rosales of capital murder in May 1998 and sentenced him to death. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals affirmed the conviction and sentence in October 1999. All of his subsequent appeals in state and federal court were denied.

A scheduled execution date in 2004 was not carried out so that the courts could review his claim of being mentally retarded.

Rosales' execution was attended by three of his brothers. No one attended on the victim's behalf. When asked if he wanted to make a final statement, Rosales said, "I love you. May the Lord be with you. Peace, I'm done." The lethal injection was then started. He was pronounced dead at 6:17 p.m.

By David Carson. Posted on 19 April 2009.
Sources: Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Texas Attorney General's Office, Associated Press, KCBD News, court documents.